Premier League preview: Liverpool v Everton

12 March 2012 10:25

Liverpool and Everton will prepare for their FA Cup quarter-finals by clashing in the 217th Merseyside derby on Tuesday.

The second derby of the season was re-scheduled after Liverpool reached, and won, the Carling Cup Final at Wembley late last month, beating Cardiff City in a penalty shootout.

Passionate fans from both sides will find it difficult to fully concentrate on this league clash with a last-eight berth up for grabs at the weekend.

David Moyes' side welcome Sunderland in the early Saturday kick-off four days after meeting the Reds, while Kenny Dalglish's side host Stoke in Sunday's late game.

But with city pride on the line, Anfield will be no place for the faint-hearted on Tuesday even if the emphasis for the Reds and the Blues has realistically switched from the bread-and-butter league to the cup, and that special May day at Wembley.

Seventh-placed Liverpool were 10 points behind fourth-placed Arsenal before the Gunners' home clash with Newcastle on Monday.

They are also 10 points closer to cellar dwellers Wigan Athletic than they are to pacesetters Manchester United.

The 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday was Liverpool's third successive league defeat and another nail in the coffin of their Champions league dream but Dalglish is still unwilling to concede defeat.

Ironically, Everton, who are ninth with 37 points, can move above their arch-rivals if they take the three points on Tuesday.

Manager David Moyes celebrated 10 years at the helm at Goodison Park in style with a 1-0 home win over third-placed Tottenham.

With four wins and four draws away from home in the league this season, Everton would appear handily placed to at least cause an upset.